His Unveiled Passion

The sound of gunfire pierced the air.

However, the surrounding residents had grown accustomed to such noises and merely assumed that a film crew was shooting yet another scene in the

abandoned building nearby.

Little did they know that the events unfolding within said building were far more thrilling than any movie.

Stephen had arrived at the location right on time ten minutes ago.

Immediately after, he went up to the 26th floor.noveldrama

The scene before him made his eyes widen with rage.

Tessa was absolutely drenched with blood. Her face was bruised and battered as James held her by the neck. Her feet were dangling off the ground while her entire body was suspended in the air. Her face had turned a violent shade of crimson as she struggled to drag oxygen into her lungs.

There was no safety net beneath her feet as James held her at the edge of the abandoned building.

All it would take was for James to falter, and Tessa would fall to her doom from the 26th floor.

Even the ever-composed Stephen couldn't maintain his cool when faced with such a sight. His heart clenched as his breath caught in his throat.

James tightened his grip, all the while maintaining his hold on Tessa's neck. Then,

he turned to look at Stephen with a raised brow. "Oh, you're here?"

Stephen's throat constricted at the sight, and a metallic tang of iron filled his mouth.

He tried his best to keep his voice steady so as to not betray his nerves. "Let her

go."

"Are you feeling sorry for her?" James' eyes glinted with malicious amusement, but his grip remained unchanged.

Stephen could only watch as Tessa struggled for breath, her face growing more ashen by the second. It was as if she was on the brink of suffocating to her death. Stephen felt as though his heart was being torn apart as a feeling of unspeakable agony assailed his senses.

Stephen could vaguely hear his hoarse voice saying, "I've done as you asked. Let her go."

James chuckled, glancing at the girl he was choking.

Tessa, who was already bloodied, looked a shade away from turning puce. It was clear that she was hanging on by a thread.

So, James shifted his grip slightly and turned them both away from the edge of the building before tossing her aside as though she were nothing but garbage.

"You!" The veins of Stephen's forehead bulged at James' actions as he instinctively took a step toward Tessa.

Alas, a gunshot rang out the very next second.

"There's no need to be so hasty." James fiddled with his gun, a cold look in his eyes.

He had fired a shot near Stephen's feet, warning him not to take another step.

"After all, I have to let my men check whether or not you truly came here alone." Then, he continued, "If I find out you tried to pull a fast one on me well... the two of you are not getting out of here alive."

Stephen stood his ground as a chilly air emanated from him.

He didn't bother responding to James' taunts. Instead, he just stood there silently.

After a while, James' subordinates returned and reported, "He came alone."

James let out a hum of acknowledgment before turning to look at Stephen derisively. "My, my. What a romantic."

"Can you let her go now?" Stephen's tone was icy.

James arched a brow. "Why, of course."

Tessa had already fallen unconscious.

Stephen hastily approached her and crouched down to check her injuries. "Why involve her in our feud? She's

innocent. Why did you have

her?"

to hurt

swnoy

James curled his lips into a provocative smirk. "Because she's your beloved woman."

Then, he goaded, "Stephen, nothing makes me happier than seeing you in pain."

Stephen bowed his head and balled his fists tightly as his eyes filled with murderous intent.

Nevertheless, he squashed his

overwhelming hatred and fury,

wasting no time in performing

on Tessa as her breaths were too shallow for comfort.

Fortunately, Tessa regained consciousness after his efforts.

"Stephen." Tessa's rasp was barely a whisper.

Her terrible condition made Stephen's heart ache.